PEDIATRICS Vol. 27 No. 5 May 1961, pp. 726-739
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RADIOGRAPHIC HEART SIZE IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY NEWBORN INFANTS: CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CORRELATIONS

E. D. Burnard M.B., M.R.C.P., M.R.A.C.P.1 and L. S. James M.B.1

1 Anesthesiology Service, Presbyterian Hospital, Sloane Hospital for Women and Babies Hospital, and the Departments of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University

The transverse diameter of the heart of mature healthy babies at the age of 1 to 6 hours was larger in those subjected to cord stripping or to more asphyxiation than in those for whom the cord was clamped within 1 minute and asphyxiation minimal. The two effects were additive.

A crescendo systolic murmur occurred in 47% of asphyxiated babies. Tachypnea or an expiratory grunt at the end of the first hour was common among the babies in whom the transverse diameter was increased.

The heart was smaller by the fifth day. However, in a significant percentage of babies with initially small hearts, there was no change.

Although notable enlargement on the first day, as judged by a decrease in transverse diameter by the fifth day, may be a sign of the adaptive capacity of the newborn infant, it is not a consequence of the normal circulatory readjustment to birth.